Cancer Control

Question 1

define: cancer

Answer 1

umbrella term for a range of conditions where uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells threatens to damage other parts of the body.

Question 2

when do tumours form

Answer 2

when abnormal cells grow and divide.

Question 3

tumours can be…

Answer 3

benign or malignant (aka. malignant neoplasm/cancer)

Question 4

why are cancerous tumours dangers?

Answer 4

can invade nearby tissue and interrupt their function; or can metastasise –

Question 5

what is metastasis

Answer 5

when cancerous cells spread to other parts of the body.

Question 6

why is this nhpa called cancer control?

Answer 6

it focuses on not just prevention, but also early detection and effective streatment.

Question 7

8 types of cancer this focuses on?

Answer 7

prostate, breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, non-melanoma, cervical cancer and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Question 8

why is it an nhpa?

Answer 8

• Contributes significant costs to communities and individuals.
• Contributes greatly to BOD in Australia (particularly YLL, as cancer can often lead to death).
• Often preventable through lifestyle changes (reducing UV exposure, eating healthy diet)

Question 9

direct costs to inv?

Answer 9

• Patient copayments for CRS

* Patient copayments for PBS subsidised cancer drugs

Question 10

direct costs to comm?i

Answer 10

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery costs covered by Medicare
• PBS covers some cost of cancer drugs
• Health promotion programs, eg. SunSmart

Question 11

indirect costs to indv?

Answer 11

• Can’t work – loss of income

* If can’t do the housework, costs of additional services (eg. housekeeper)

Question 12

indirect costs to comm/

Answer 12

• Loss of productivity
• Lost taxation revenue
• Welfare due to not working

Question 13

intangible costs to indv/

Answer 13

• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety, as it can lead to death
• Missing school/work can reduce socialisation and self esteem.

Question 14

intangible costs to comm?

Answer 14

• Feelings of stress, sadness and despair…

* Grief

Question 15

bio dets?

Answer 15

Body weight
• Can increase risk of colorectal and breast cancer
Age
• Increases with age
Genetic predisposition
• Inheritance of specific mutated genes can increase risk of breast and prostate cancer

Question 16

behavioural dets?

Answer 16

Tobacco smoking
• Contains chemicals that can contribute to all cancers, esp lung.
Alcohol consumption
• Increase risk of breast cancer
Poor dietary behaviorus
• High fat low fibre increase risk of colorectal, lung, prostate cancer
• Fruit and veg have nutrients and antioxidants which reduce risk of these
Sun protection behaviours
Sexual behaviours
• Infected with HPV is a risk factor for cervical cancer
Vaccination behaviour
• Vaccinated against HPV  less likely to develop cervical cancer

Question 17

phsical env dets?

Answer 17

Access to recreation facilities
Work environment
• Outdoor  increased UV exposure
• Exposure to hazardous substances  increased lung cancer risk
Air quality
• If poor (like in industrial areas) increased pollutants  increased risk of lung cancer
Environmental tobacco smoke
Climate
• Places like Aus have increased exposure to UV radiation
Geographical location of resources
• Far from cancer screening services  late detection  lower survival

Question 18

social dets?

Answer 18

SES
• More likely to smoke and consume alcohol in greater quantities
Food security
• Leads to poor dietary behaviours
Stress
• Can suppress immune system and allow cancerous cells to develop
Access to healthcare
• Reduced due to cultural barriers/lack of education about cancer screening  late detection  lower survival

Question 19

health promotion campaign?

Answer 19

sunsmart campaign

Question 20

who?

Answer 20

• Funded by Cancer Council Victoria and Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, implemented by CCV.

Question 21

aim?

Answer 21

• To minimise huan cost of skin cancer in Victoria

* To promote a balance between the benefits and harms of UV exposure

Question 22

describe advertising campaigns?

Answer 22

• Eg. Slip, slop, slap, seek, slide: features Sid the Seagull singing a catchy tune whilst modelling the behaviours – encouraging kids to do the same.

Question 23

describe sunsmart app?

Answer 23

• Make a profile – based on skin type, height/weight/gender/age
• Put in a location and then gives the hours of sun protection required, and the current and max UV levels.

Question 24

describes schools programs

Answer 24

Encourages primary and secondary schools to implement sunsmart policies that meets the CCV’s criteria – by using sun protection measures (slip, slop, slap, slide, seek) during sun protection times.